If you own a period or listed property in Cirencester and need renovation, restoration, or an extension that respects the character of your home, your choice of builder will determine whether the project protects or damages the building's fabric. Cirencester has 372 listed buildings (3 Grade I, 35 Grade II*, 334 Grade II), and roughly 14.2% of all housing stock was built before 1900. Work on these properties demands builders who know lime mortar from cement, Welsh slate from modern tile, and how to navigate listed building consent through Cotswold District Council. Oak Tree Renovations specialises in traditional building and carpentry across the Cotswolds, delivering heritage-sensitive building work from initial survey through to completion and aftercare.
Call us to discuss your building project or arrange a free site survey.
British Woodworking Federation (BWF) member, TrustMark registered, and Federation of Master Builders accredited. Membership in recognized trade bodies indicates high professional standards for builders.
Full project management from design concepts and planning permissions through construction, building control sign-off, and aftercare support.
Specialist focus on period and listed properties across Cirencester, Bourton-on-the-Water, Stow-on-the-Wold, Burford, Chipping Norton, and surrounding Cotswold villages.
Dedicated craftsmen trained in heritage building methods: stonemasonry, lime plastering, traditional roofing, and bespoke joinery.
Public liability insurance and employer liability insurance held. Check for adequate insurance coverage and guarantees before hiring a builder.
Cirencester sits partly within a conservation area, and the town centre is covered by a Character Appraisal that governs what can and cannot change on listed and unlisted buildings alike. Builders familiar with local architectural styles adhere to planning regulations and conservation guidelines set by Cotswold District Council. Oak Tree Renovations works within these constraints daily.
Traditional Cotswold stone expertise.
We source local coursed squared limestone rubble matching existing walls, pointed with lime mortar rather than cement. Cement mortar traps moisture inside stone, causing spalling and structural decay; lime mortar allows the wall to breathe. This detail determines whether a repair lasts five years or fifty.
Conservation area and listed building knowledge.
Listed building consent is a legal requirement under the Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990 for any alteration affecting a listed property's character. We coordinate with conservation officers, prepare the required drawings and specifications, and manage the consent process so clients avoid delays or enforcement action.
Heritage trades under one roof.
Stonemasons, joiners, carpenters, plasterers, and roofers trained in traditional methods work as a single team. This eliminates the coordination gaps that occur when homeowners hire separate subcontractors unfamiliar with each other's work.
Modern standards inside period walls.
We install insulation, rewiring, heating, and updated kitchens and bathrooms while preserving original mouldings, sash windows, chimney stacks, and plasterwork. The result is a house that meets current comfort standards without losing its architectural identity.
Local knowledge can prevent costly delays in construction projects. Recommendations from neighbours and local architects can be valuable when choosing builders, and our established client base across Gloucestershire reflects that trust.
Period Property Renovations
Georgian, Victorian, and Cotswold stone properties each present distinct challenges: differing wall constructions, window styles, roof materials, and interior layouts. House renovations often involve updating kitchens and bathrooms and restoring character properties. We handle structural repairs, damp remediation, timber treatment, lime repointing, and interior restoration. The outcome is a home where original features are intact and daily life is comfortable.
House Extensions and Additions
Two-storey extensions can be more cost-effective than moving. We build single and double-storey home extensions, conservatories, garden rooms, and orangeries designed to integrate with the existing building's proportions, materials, and roofline. In conservation areas, external appearance is scrutinised; we prepare designs that satisfy planning officers and deliver the additional space our clients need. Builders in Cirencester offer house extensions and renovations as core services.
Listed Building Refurbishment
Cirencester's 372 listed buildings range from Grade I parish church structures to Grade II terraced houses. Each grade carries specific obligations. We manage the consent application, source period-appropriate materials (Welsh slate, handmade brick, hand-blown glass for sash windows), and carry out restoration to a high standard that satisfies both the conservation officer and the building's next hundred years of use.
Bespoke Joinery and Carpentry
Our Joinery workshop produces custom windows, doors, staircases, fitted furniture, and architectural mouldings. Traditional sash windows with correct glazing bar profiles, panelled doors matching Georgian or Victorian originals, and oak staircases built to the proportions of the property. Every piece is made to measure.
Initial Consultation and Survey
We visit the site to assess the property's condition, construction type, and any heritage designations. Many builders in Cirencester provide free site surveys; ours covers structural condition, damp, timber health, and a preliminary discussion of what the project requires. Seek builders with proven experience on projects similar to yours, and ask about their experience with similar properties during this stage.
Design Development and Planning
We prepare detailed drawings and specifications, then submit planning permissions and building regulation applications to Cotswold District Council. For major works, a full plans application typically takes 3 to 4 weeks for approval. Where listed building consent is needed, we prepare the additional documentation and liaise with the conservation officer. A detailed quote should include labour, materials, and permits. We provide itemised quotes covering all aspects of the project before work begins.
Construction and Project Management
Skilled craftsmen use traditional techniques on heritage fabric and modern methods where appropriate. We coordinate specialist subcontractors (structural engineers, heritage consultants, specialist plasterers) and provide regular progress updates. Expect realistic timelines and clear handling of potential project changes from builders. Contracts should include a clear payment schedule tied to project milestones, and ours do.
Completion and Handover
Final inspections, building control sign-off, and a walkthrough with the client. We provide project documentation covering all work carried out, materials used, and any manufacturer warranties. Aftercare support follows completion.
We invite prospective clients to speak with previous customers and visit completed projects. Comparing builders involves looking at experience, qualifications, and past work references. Genuine testimonials from property owners who have worked with us are available on request and through our website.
Contact us for references from clients in Cirencester and surrounding villages whose projects match your own in scope and building type.
Oak Tree Renovations covers Cirencester town centre and its surrounding areas, including Coln st Aldywns, Chedworth, Ampney St Mary, Winson, Bibury, Daglingworth, Fairford and Quenington.
We also serve the wider Cotswolds across Gloucestershire and into Wiltshire:
- Bourton-on-the-Water
- Stow-on-the-Wold
- Burford
- Chipping Norton
- Northleach
- Tetbury
-Surrounding Cotswold villages
There are 240 builders listed in Cirencester. Cirencester features professional building contractors experienced in modern builds and traditional architecture. What distinguishes our team is the focus on heritage properties and the trade accreditations to back it up.
